Sunday, October 24, 2010

Don't miss 'Book Week" Oct 25 - 31....

Well it seems as if 'Kid's Week' was a success....
(and don't forget to sign up for all those giveaways!! You still have time!!)

And now we move right on into

'Book Week'
Oct 25 - 31

You can look forward to many reviews and giveaways!!

I will be kicking 'Book Week' off tomorrow with
Pauline Holyoak's new book,
"Merryweather Lodge: Ancient Revenge"



A sneak peek at some of the books I will be giving away....








Don't miss all the great reviews this week!!

Two great sites you will definately want to check out!!



 Fantasy Art, Clothing, & Collectibles

 
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Joe's Shirt Shop offers tons of shirts.
Everything from celtic, animals, sports and more...way, way, more!!


Enjoy!

~Steph

A Thin Line: Words/Wounds...(If You Were Ever Going To Read A Post of Mine, PLEASE, Make It This One!!!!)

Well, we all know that the majority of tweens, teens, and some younger kids have cell phones these days!
But do you, as the parent, actually know how your child is using their phone??
I mean are they using it only in an appropriate way??

Maybe you should check it out once in awhile. True this is snooping, but it could stop bullying before it gets too late. Many of you may remember the big news story about the teen girl who killed herself instead of going back to school for another day of being bullied by her classmates...

I mean when I was young I always remember people telling me that words cant hurt me!!
But...words do hurt me, and I'm sure they hurt you as well.
Remember, that riddle:
"Sticks and stones may break my bones,
but words will never hurt me."
Even back then, I though it was SO STUPID!!

Well, cell phones are being used more in more in inappropriate ways!! Do you know what they are??


MTV has put together a great campaign called A Thin Line and can be found at athinline.org
Words/Wounds
Insult/Injury
Following/Stalking
Delete/Forward
Him/The Whole School
Love/Abuse
Please take some time to check out this great site and then talk to your kids about it.
 Perhaps look at it together.

I'm going to hit on a few points here, but please visit the website to learn more!!

Ok, so first, let's take a look at some of the inappropriate ways cell phones are being used.

First I will list a term and then I will follow it with the definition.

Want to know more about sexting? Get the facts now.

Sexting: Sending or forwarding nude, sexually suggestive, or explicit pics on your cell or online. For some people, it's no big deal. But real problems can emerge when the parties involved are under 18, when people get pressured into sexting, and when sexts go viral.

Constant Messaging: Just what it sounds like. Constantly texting, IM'ing, or emailing a friend, bf/gf, frenemy, or anyone to keep tabs on or harass them.

Spying: Sneaking peeks at others' text message or call history, breaking into a friend or bf/gfs's inbox, or even digitally stalking them.


Digital Disrespect: Spreading negative or embarrassing dirt (true, untrue, or unknown, via text, pic or video) about someone behind their back or to their face.

Cruelty: Using digital platforms to intentionally make other people's lives miserable. For example: blackmail (making demands in exchange for not revealing something embarrassing or damaging about the victim); hate-mongering (spreading discriminatory, racist messages); direct threats, etc...


Ok, now that we are a little more familiar with the terms, let's see what we can do to help!!
I am taking these next few lines directly from the athinline.org website.

Support Others


Being harassed, threatened, or emotionally abused via your digital device is not fun. Here's how you can help your friends get through it and be a part of the solution, not the problem:

    •Listen. Sometimes a good long venting session can help people feel better, so offer to listen without judgment or comment.

   •Play nice/Think twice. Help friends, acquaintances, people you hardly know and even strangers    by NOT getting sucked into a feeding frenzy. Don't harass people online.

Be Part of the Solution

No matter how large or small, every action you take to increase national awareness of this issue is an important step. Educate yourself, inspire others to make a difference and be a part of the solution. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Spread the Word


•Add A Thin Line on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter

•Post A Thin Line banners

Submit your story, rate others' stories, and help define the line between innocent and inappropriate.

•Embed A Thin Line videos


Embed A Thin Line Quiz

------------------
My thoughts:

All of these things may seem harmless and probably funny to the person doing it.
But the victim, the one who is being harassed is probably really hurt by these things!!

I want to give you a few phone numbers that can also be found on that website...
But I strongly encourage/URGE you to either hang them up by the phone or
better yet, jot them down on a post-it note for your child
and give it to them. Chances are if they do need or want to use it...
they won't just come out and tell you!!

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
1-866-331-9474

National Suiside Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK 
that is
1-800-273-8255

Here are a couple of great and very informative websites as well.

This site gives ways to make you feel better!!

This site talks about sex and safe relationships!!

I hope this post helps someone!!
Please spread the word!!

~Steph

Kid’s Week Giveaway Links All In One Post...

Uncommonly Cute - win your choice of onesie or t-shirt.
http://fortheluvofsanity.blogspot.com/2010/10/uncommonly-cute-review-giveaway.html


$10 gift card to GYMBOREE (2 winners)
http://fortheluvofsanity.blogspot.com/2010/10/gymboree-store-giveaway.html


$15 gift card to Disney Store (2 winners)
http://fortheluvofsanity.blogspot.com/2010/10/disney-store-giveaway.html


Memorable Children Books & Gifts (5 winners)
http://fortheluvofsanity.blogspot.com/2010/10/memorable-childrens-books-giveaway.html


2 pack of Scholastic Books (2 winners)
http://fortheluvofsanity.blogspot.com/2010/10/kids-week-two-book-giveaway.html


3 mo. Zoodles Premium Membership (3 winners)
http://fortheluvofsanity.blogspot.com/2010/10/its-kids-week-dont-miss-all-great-stuff.html

I've gone blog hoppin...

Hello!! And a big welcome to any of my new followers!!
Please leave me a comment letting me know you are new to my blog,
I want to make sure I follow you back! I love finding new blogs to follow!

While you are here, don't miss out on my current giveaways on right sidebar.
This past week has been "Kid's Week" so there are quite a few giveaways going on!!

And don't forget to take a look at my "Sneak Peeks" also on right sidebar so you know what
kind of great things and giveaways are coming up!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

~Steph

Sunday Strolling Blog Hop


BWS tips button

Enjoy your Sunday!!

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Uncommonly Cute Review & Giveaway....(HAS ENDED)

has the most adorable onesies and t-shirts (short and long sleeve) for your child :)
When they told me I could choose a shirt for my Nate, I was so excited.
Of course, then I couldn't decide which one to choose.
I new I wanted long sleeve for the coming cold season, but I had no idea what logo to choose.
I finally chose the 'Got Bandaids' in black, and Nate just loves it !!


Here are some other adorable choices that they offer....




Can't you just imagine your little one sportin' one of these Uncommonly Cute shirts??
They will definitely be getting all the looks that day, so make sure
you are dressed up cute too...lol :)

I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the t-shirt when it came.
I am always nervous about ordering from a company for the first time, especially when it is clothes.
You just don't know the quality of the clothing, nor do you know if they size small or bigger
than actual size...you know the basics that really matter :)
In my honest opinion, their shirts are true to size and of great quality!!

And don't forget to visit their blog....


The folks at Uncommonly Cute were generous enough to offer one of my followers:
(1) one shirt/onesie (winner's choice) with free shipping (Valued at $25.00)!!

Mandatory Entry: Follow them on facebook and tell them '4 the LUV of SaNiTy' sent you!!

Extra Entries:  You may do as many of these as you choose...AFTER you have finished the
mandatory entry, or these extras won't count.
An email address in the comment is a must. I need to be able to easily contact the winner!!
Feel free to leave all entries in one comment!!
And take 2 extra entries if you total your own entries :)
Example:
+2 list entry
 +5 list entry
email address
Total = 9


+5 Follow Uncommonly Cute on twitter and leave your twitter name.
+3 Tell me what your favorite item from their shop is and who you would get it for.
+20 Make a purchase from Uncommonly Cute. (Must prove if you win.)
+3 Follow me on twitter and leave your twitter name.
+2 Tweet about this giveaway. This may be done once daily.
+4 Enter another one of my giveaways. You may take +4 for each giveaway you enter.
+10 Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link.

Best of luck to all of you.

The winner will be chosen 11/20 and will be contacted by email. They will have 48 hours
to respond or I will need to choose a new winner.

Note: I was not compensated financially or in other way to do this review/giveaway other than keeping the free product I got to review. I always give my honest opinion of the items I review.

Memorable Children Books & Gifts Giveaway....(HAS ENDED)

The Keepsake That Educates!!

You won't believe all the wonderful items that Memorable Children Books & Gifts has to offer.
I'm going to show you a few of my favorites, but I want you to be assured that
they have way, way more to offer than I can show you here.


I love these personalized books!! These were always one of my favorites when I was a child.
My grandma had ordered each of us grandchildren a book with our names and our cousins names in it
for Christmas one year. And me being the book lover that I am , it was by far one of my favorite gifts!!
This year I am getting one for my youngest son, Nate!!


And how about Audio Books. What kid doesn't like a book that talks to them??
MCB (Memorable Children Books) has many audio books to offer such as this one...


Here is another great personalized item that MCB has to offer, a clock!!
I definitely want to get my Nate one of these this year too.
Not only is he just learning how to tell time, but he loves the characters and how fun
to have your name on your clock :) They have many characters to choose from!!


And finally (not because this is all they have to offer--but because I am out of room)
I am going to show this wonderful item for your baby.
I have done a previous post on this item because I'm completely in love with it...
and really, really recommend it for your child.


And now for the GIVEAWAY!!

Ella, the owner of Memorable Children Books & Gifts has ever so generously donated all of these books
for many of my lucky followers to win and enjoy with their children :)

I have taken the items and split them up pretty much by age group, so that more children will be able to
benefit from this giveaway. I have split the donations into 5 separate prize packages!!



Prize Pkg #1

Roald Dahl's 'Matilda' and 'The BFG'
(I am personally throwing in a copy of 'The BFG' because I
have extra, and it fits perfectly here!!)



Prize Pkg #2

Once Upon A Time
Storybook & Musical Clock Timer
'Read for 20 Minutes a Day
with your Working Clock and Digital Timer'


Prize Pkg #3

Care Bears
Care-a-Lot Jamboree
WIN/MAC CD-ROM
Rated E for Everyone
(sorry the photo is so small)



Prize Pkg #4

Star Wars 'The Clone Wars' and The 39 Clues 'Beyond The Grave'



Prize Pkg #5

Little Einstein's 'June's New Shoes' and Weebles 'The Weebleville Talent Show'




Mandatory Entry:  Follow MCB on facebook and tell them '4 the LUV of SaNiTy' sent you.
AND
                  Tell me which prize pkg you would most like to win!!

Extra Entries: You may do as many of these as you like, just make sure to complete
 the mandatory entry first...or none of the extras will count.
Feel free to put all your entries in one comment. You may also take 2 extra entries for leaving me a total
beneath your email address.
Email address is a must!! I need to be able to easily contact you if you win!!
Example entry:
+2 List specific entry
+5 List specific entry
Email address
Total = 9
(7 entries + 2 for adding them up!!!)

+5 for visiting MCB and telling me your favorite item and who you would want it for.
+3 for putting the pkgs in order from 1-5 according to which ones you would like most.
+20 Make a purchase from MCB. (Must be able to prove if you win!!)
+5 Follow me on twitter and leave me your twitter name.
+2 Tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link. This may be done every day.
+5 Follow me on facebook and leave me your fb name.
+2 Mention this giveaway on fb and tag me so I can verify it. This may be done every day.
+3 Follow me on GFC.
+3 Subscribe to my blog by email.
+4 Enter another one of my giveaways. You may take +4 for each giveaway you enter!!
+10 Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link.

Good luck!!

Note: I was not compensated in any way for my opinion or to host this review and/or giveaway. I always give my honest opinion of all  items that I review. In this specific giveaway, my son actually kept a Clifford book. When this pkg came in the mail, he fell in love with the book and was somehow able to find it and keep it hidden from me...so for the Clifford book, an extra thanks to Ella!!

Winner will be chosen on 11/20 and will be contacted via email. They will have
48 hours to reply or I will need to choose a new winner!

What are your weekend plans??

I wanted to let you all know about a few great deals I came across
and thought alot of  you would probably like to
get some use out of them as well!!

Travel
Here is a newsletter that sends you reallly great deals!
We actually just planned a small trip in January,
and this site was able to save me 40% more on the hotel than any other saving site I entered!!
Save up to 50% on travel! Get Dunhill Vacation's Travel Deals Newsletter - It's FREE!

Dunhill


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Weekly Cinema Deals

Weekly Cinema


The kids and I are going to see a movie this weekend!!
Well between the four of us that are going, we are seeing two different movies!!


Nate and I are seeing...




While 'B' and Jake are going to watch...




I wanted to tell you about a great way to buy your movie tickets
and save money!!!  We bought four movie tickets for
tomorrow, and we saved $8.50. That means one of
us is seeing our movie for free!!


All you have to do is sign up with Weekly Cinema and you get one free movie ticket.
You also get two tickets for $12.99 every month. (Another great deal!!)
To sign up for this great deal,
Click Here!!

Weekly Cinema

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And finally, just in case you have some home repairs to look forward to this weekend, lol...
Here is a cool contest that could score you some potentially great prizes.
SMH $10k Home Improvement Giveaway

Giveaway Amount: $10,000.00
Estimated Time to Enter: 3 minutes
Eligibility: US Residents over 18
Registration Deadline: February 1, 2010

Sign-Up NOW for the next $10,000 home improvement giveaway.
Registration takes only a few minutes, doesn't cost a thing and could be the difference between you and a new home makeover!
Register now!!

So, I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Make sure to sign up for some or all of the "kids week" giveaways!!